Fellype Gabriel eyes dream Brazil recall with UAE move

Dubai: Brazilian midfielder Fellype Gabriel is hoping to help stir sleeping giants Sharjah in the forthcoming season, in order to resurrect his own chances of a national team recall ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Gabriel, 27, a former member of Brazil’s 2005 U20 World Cup squad, got a surprise senior team call-up under former coach Mano Menezes last year but didn’t make an appearance.

His need to be back in the spotlight now mirrors that of his new club Sharjah, who return to the UAE top flight after suffering a shock relegation at the end of the 2011/12 season.

The Kings, who have won eight President’s Cups and five league titles, bounced straight back with promotion from the second tier last season, but now it remains to be seen if they – along with Gabriel – can fully return to their earlier promise.

“That’s the dream I have [to play for my country], and I will do my best for my club first in order to have visibility for the national team,” said Rio-born Gabriel, who joined Sharjah from Botafogo in June on a three-year deal worth €3 million (Dh14.6 million). “It would be an honour and a pleasure to wear my national team shirt again and defend my country not only in the World Cup but in any game.”

Gabriel and Sharjah’s chances are helped by the addition of Brazilian coach Paulo Bonamigo who, along with fellow signings from Brazil Ze Carlos and Mauricio Ramos and South Korea’s Kim Jung-woo, will be looking to bring about a resurgence for the Arabian Gulf League new-boys.

“I’m aware of Sharjah’s victorious past,” said Gabriel, who scored 18 goals in 71 appearances with Botafogo, last season. “So we have to wake this sleeping giant up. The team is growing and finding its dimension thanks to the new players. But we need to find the right mix between the young players, those already present and the new local and foreign signings. That’s why we started training earlier than the other clubs.

“My goal is to help the team stay in the first division, which is the first step in the project presented to me. My personal goal is to be able to make a good season, passing my experience to the team and especially to the younger players. I always want to keep a winning mentality, fighting for the result until the last second of every game while dreaming of winning titles, because even if we’re unable to win we have to keep trying our best to get closer to that.

“People can expect to see a very dedicated professional, who works hard to make a consistent path towards victories, always looking for the best result possible. I like dialogue with the team, as I believe this is the best way to get results together. People can also expect my best skills on the pitch; I will play for Sharjah to get the best possible results.”

Gabriel says previous overseas experience in Portugal and Japan with Nacional and Kashima Antlers, as well as his experience under Bonamigo – when they were together at Portuguesa in 2008 – with helping him towards his aims.

“The fact that I got the call from Paulo Bonamigo was important, also because I already had the opportunity to work with him. I found the project very interesting and like the presence of young players, who are used to winning things in the youth teams.

“Without a doubt, Japan helped me grow a lot in a professional and personal perspective and now I can adapt easily to new places. I thought about leaving Brazil again, I just didn’t expect it to happen so fast. I was – and I still am – living a good moment in my career and I hope to make the best of this time.”

Asked why he left Brazil at this stage of his career, Gabriel added: “It was a set of circumstances. I’ve played abroad a few times and it was very good, I matured a lot with everything I’ve been through in football. I enjoyed some leadership at Botafogo, but the team there was solid and had great players with a lot of experience. I know I came here to lead this project and I think I can really help just as I helped Botafogo, especially with the younger players.

“I have almost been here a month and I have not been to many places, but from what I’ve seen the country is very beautiful and I can’t wait to enjoy it with my family.

“I received a very warm welcome. Sharjah’s staff were looking forward to my arrival. The staff are composed of expert and proficient people that have been here for some time, which is important because they already know how football works here and they also know what we need to make a good season. I think we can surprise a lot of other teams. especially after getting promotion last season.”